Sunday, 9 August 2015

10 August 2015

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Monday 10 August 2015

Morning
Prayer

Psalms 92 and 93

In the first psalm God’s faithfulness and steadfast
love is praised. On this occasion enemies have failed in some other place and
are no more. Everything has been restored. The righteous people prosper.

In the second psalm God’s greatness is praised – more
powerful than floods, more powerful than the seas. God’s commandments are sure
and God lives in holiness.

2 Samuel 17: 15 – 18: 4

Hushai gets the message about the competing advice to
Zadok and Abiathar the priests who through two young men take the message to
David. The young men are noticed and reported so hide in a well and are
protected by a woman who puts a lid on the well and a pile of grain. When it is
safe they go to David.

David and his group cross the Jordan to Mahanaim where
supporters give them food. Ahithophel seeing that his counsel is not followed
goes to his home, puts his affairs in order, hangs himself and is buried in his
family’s tomb.

Amasa the commander for Absalom is the cousin of Joab,
David’s commander. David sets up three companies in his army one under Joab,
another under Abishai (Joabs’s brother) and the third under Ittai. He says he
will fight with them and they argue that he is worth 10,000 men and should stay
in the city. David does as they advise and stands by the city gate as the
troops pass by.

Acts 15: 36 – 16: 10

Paul and Barnabas agree to re-visit the communities of
believers. After discussion, Paul makes the journey with Silas and Barnabas takes
Mark with him to Cyprus. Paul and Silas visit communities and on the way
collect Timothy whose mother was Jewish and father is Greek. Timothy is
circumcised and they continued touring Asia Minor. Paul, in a vision, is called
to Macedonia.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

Cape Le Grand National ParkWA L Osburn

Wonderful
and eternal God you are with us in all we do. Be with us this day as we go about
our daily work and especially be with those of us who are required to put
our lives at risk for your sake, so that our efforts add to the spread
of your love, grace and peace through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord and the
power of your Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 10 August 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalm 94

The psalmist calls people to remember that God does,
can and will act for the righteous. We are all reminded that nothing is hidden
from God who formed all ears and all types of eyes. Will God not be able to see
or hear what we are up to? The psalmist writes that disciplined believers are
blessed, that the Lord is there for them and consoles. The Lord helps.

Proverbs 15: 1 - 15

Be soft in speech, gentle knowledgeable and wise –
these will turn away anger wrath and trouble. Righteousness and prayer are
sacrifices the Lord delights in. Since God can go everywhere even into the
depth of death how easy is it for God to come into our hearts? A glad heart has
a cheerful countenance and a continual feast.

The reverse of these qualities leads to harm.

Romans 9: 1 – 13

Paul explains his concern about the Israelites and
their lack of belief in Christ. Their lack of belief does not mean that the
word of God has failed. While the Israelites are the people of God’s promise,
not all are. God chooses people before their birth for example the choice of
Jacob over Esau revealed to his mother. It is not the biological descendants of
Israel who are God’s but the people of the promise who are counted as
descendants.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Lucky BayCape Le Grand National ParkWA L Osburn

Holy Lord, you have told us that we are the children of your promise and that you are always
here for the righteous and believers. Moreover, through your holy people you have
taught us the qualities of lives that are focused on you. Be with us in the
nights and days to come, strengthen us in knowledge, wisdom and gentleness so
that our hearts may be full of you, forever glad through Jesus Christ your Son
our Lord and Saviour. Amen.